(Ottawa, ON) – February 3, 2026 – On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Adrian Stimson. Adrian is an interdisciplinary artist from the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta. In this interview, Adrian shares stories from his early beginnings, his lifelong connection to art, and the opportunities that have come his way because of it – including one of his latest projects as host of the six-part CBC podcast series Forged, which looks at the life of legendary Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau, and how criminal fraudsters copied his work, in what is believed to be the largest art fraud in the world.

Adrian joins the interview from his studio that is located on the grounds of the Old Sun Residential School garden. Adrian and Gordon discuss the impacts of the Residential School System and the history of the land. They discuss how the buffalo has long been an integral part of Blackfoot culture, and why their revival is so important. Through the Buffalo Treaty, Adrian points to the significance of Blackfoot people being able to see and know the buffalo is still there, while Gordon draws connections to the importance of the caribou for the Inuit and the moose for the Cree.

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Adrian and Gordon’s conversation leads to the Indigenous art scene and artists who have most influenced Adrian’s work. At the top of that list is the late Norval Morrisseau, whose profound impact Adrian reflects on. He provides insight into how the six-part podcast series came to be and why the story of this art fraud needs to be told. Adrian’s career as an artist, has led to some extraordinary moments, including the honor of being selected to design Calgary’s Indian Residential School Memorial, ‘The Wandering Spirit’. Adrian reflects on how he sees the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action being realized through art, and how art serves to honour the past and shape meaningful dialogue in the present.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 25 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate Canadians about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Child Welfare System on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, and their communities to address discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, and to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage Canadians to address discrimination and injustice to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples. 

 The LHF has 30 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history, which are free to borrow, and we are working on making exhibitions available online. LHF also has curricula for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops, and Training, two Podcast series, all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Child Welfare System, and other colonial acts of oppression. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding to eliminate ongoing racism against Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation in Canada. 

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca